Bruce Jenner’s decision to come out as woman gives hope to many
If the ongoing global gender conversation over sexual violence, over gay rights, over stereotypes just got a bit more interesting, then you can thank Caitlyn Jenner for that. Jenner’s decision to come out as a woman may not immediately open doors and dispel discrimination but it gives hope to many like her. The Kardashian khandaan is not anybody’s idea of a role model. Well, technically the former Bruce Jenner is not a Kardashian, except by marriage. Yet, I find myself moved by his transformation to Caitlyn Jenner. Forget for now the oozing cynicism: Is she doing it for the money?…
Church attacks: Christians anxious, govt must assuage the fears
If you believe that nine separate attacks on churches and several others on Christian-run schools in the last six months are just random occurrences then you also probably believe in the tooth fairy. A church is burnt in New Delhi. Electrical short-circuit. Another church’s windows shatter when a stone is thrown. Kids playing outside. In Haryana, the crucifix in a church under construction is replaced by a Hanuman idol. Land-grabbing. A Christian missionary-run school receives a series of threatening letters. Some disgruntled person venting. If you believe that nine separate attacks on churches and several others on Christian-run schools in the last six months…
A never-ending love affair with saris
The sari will endure because when we Indian women want to dress up, when we attend weddings or festivals, when we want to feel special, the inevitable garment of choice is the sari. We are not the generation of our grandmothers and mothers who wore only saris (yes, even on the beach, alas), but our love and nostalgia for the draped fabric has seeped into our DNA from that lineage. HT Image Back in the day, when Doordarshan was the sole news channel, women anchors dressed unfailingly in saris, read the news in their no-nonsense style and became unforgettable. Liberalisation…
A never-ending love affair with saris
The sari will endure because when we Indian women want to dress up, when we attend weddings or festivals, when we want to feel special, the inevitable garment of choice is the sari. We are not the generation of our grandmothers and mothers who wore only saris (yes, even on the beach, alas), but our love and nostalgia for the draped fabric has seeped into our DNA from that lineage. Back in the day, when Doordarshan was the sole news channel, women anchors dressed unfailingly in saris, read the news in their no-nonsense style and became unforgettable. Liberalisation brought an…
Public trust in fourth estate is dwindling
As social media emerges as a source of legitimate news and as Indian corporates muscle their way into media ownership, public trust in the fourth estate is only dwindling further, writes Namita Bhandare. Shortly after taking over as Press Council chairman in 2011, Justice Markandey Katju made his views about journalists clear. Sensational, superstitious, anti-people and so on. Katju is no longer Press Council chairman but his views have only gained traction. Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that some sections of media are ‘bazaaru’ (for sale) and others like former army chief-turned-junior minister have used more inventive nouns — presstitutes,…
Public trust in fourth estate is dwindling
As social media emerges as a source of legitimate news and as Indian corporates muscle their way into media ownership, public trust in the fourth estate is only dwindling further. Shortly after taking over as Press Council chairman in 2011, Justice Markandey Katju made his views about journalists clear. Sensational, superstitious, anti-people and so on. Katju is no longer Press Council chairman but his views have only gained traction. Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that some sections of media are ‘bazaaru’ (for sale) and others like former army chief-turned-junior minister have used more inventive nouns — presstitutes, for instance, when…
Farmer suicides: A tragic issue made into a spectacle
If a farmer hangs himself in his farm where there are no TV cameras, has he killed himself? Kamalamma-36-holds-on-to-her-husband-s-picture-outside-her-house-dreading-the-day-when-moneylenders-will-inevitably-come-knocking-Prasad-Nichenametla-HT-Photo If a farmer hangs himself in his farm where there are no TV cameras, has he killed himself? The cliché, life is stranger than fiction, was never truer than on Wednesday when farmer and father of three, Gajendra Singh climbed on a tree and hanged himself in the middle of a rally organised by the Aam Aadmi Party. What followed was almost inevitable. From a string of clichés to a strum of excuses and from apologies to accusations, the tragedy descended…
Farmer suicides: A tragic issue made into a spectacle
If a farmer hangs himself in his farm where there are no TV cameras, has he killed himself? If a farmer hangs himself in his farm where there are no TV cameras, has he killed himself? The cliché, life is stranger than fiction, was never truer than on Wednesday when farmer and father of three, Gajendra Singh climbed on a tree and hanged himself in the middle of a rally organised by the Aam Aadmi Party. What followed was almost inevitable. From a string of clichés to a strum of excuses and from apologies to accusations, the tragedy descended to…
In the din of outrage, genuine questions have been lost
Two separate remarks, one by the prime minister and the other by the minister of state for external affairs, seem to have raised the pitch in a polarised environment. Two separate remarks, one by the prime minister and the other by the minister of state for external affairs, seem to have raised the pitch in a polarised environment. In a nation of perpetual outrage, the words — ‘five-star activist’ by one and ‘presstitute’ by the other — have erupted in controversy. And the fact that they stem from the top political leadership is cause for concern. Away from the hurly-burly…
In the din of outrage, genuine questions have been lost
Two separate remarks, one by the prime minister and the other by the minister of state for external affairs, seem to have raised the pitch in a polarised environment. Two separate remarks, one by the prime minister and the other by the minister of state for external affairs, seem to have raised the pitch in a polarised environment. In a nation of perpetual outrage, the words — ‘five-star activist’ by one and ‘presstitute’ by the other — have erupted in controversy. And the fact that they stem from the top political leadership is cause for concern. Away from the hurly-burly…
The angry Indian needs to be angriest about himself
India is becoming an angry nation. But not angry enough about the right issues It’s the dismantling of the old order that lead economically and socially dominant Jats in Haryana to demand a slice of affirmative reservation – and to press home that demand, public property is vandalised and 16 people are left dead.(Hindustan Times) In 1973, an honest police officer called Inspector Vijay swore vengeance against those who had killed his family. Vijay was played by the then relatively unknown Amitabh Bachchan and Zanjeer saw the birth of both a star and the ‘angry young man’. Over 40 years…
Church attacks: Christians anxious, govt must assuage the fears
If you believe that nine separate attacks on churches and several others on Christian-run schools in the last six months are just random occurrences then you also probably believe in the tooth fairy. A church is burnt in New Delhi. Electrical short-circuit. Another church’s windows shatter when a stone is thrown. Kids playing outside. In Haryana, the crucifix in a church under construction is replaced by a Hanuman idol. Land-grabbing. A Christian missionary-run school receives a series of threatening letters. Some disgruntled person venting. If you believe that nine separate attacks on churches and several others on Christian-run schools in the last six months…